Angiotensin-(1-7)Changes Apoptosis-Related Genes Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cell Line T47D

摘要

Angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] is a heptapeptide of the renin-angiotensin system with vasodilator and anti-proliferative properties. In the present study, we aim to investigate whether Ang-(1-7) induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells and whether the altered expression of apoptosis-related genes is involved in this process. Human breast cell line T47D was treated with angiotensin-(1-7) and angiotensin II (Ang II). Cell proliferation and apoptosis were quantified using hemocytometer and flow cytometry, respectively. The expression of 84 apoptosis-related genes was evaluated through qPCR array. Ang-(1-7), as opposed to Ang II, decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis in T47D cells. Moreover, many pro-apoptotic genes were up-regulated, such as BAK1, BAX, BCL2L1, BID and BIK. In addition, some anti-apoptotic genes as AKT1 and XIAP were down-regulated by heptapeptide. Although a deeper study should be performed, our results support the hypothesis that Ang-(1-7) could change the expression of several genes related to apoptosis, interfering directly in the molecular pathways associated with the survival of breast cancer cells.